KARACHI: Ali Khursheedi, MQM-P’s Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, announced the formation of a Special Committee comprising journalists and MQM parliamentarians to address the challenges faced by the media community in Sindh.
In an exclusive discussion Khursheedi emphasized moving beyond rhetoric to deliver practical solutions for journalists: “This initiative aims to identify and resolve the critical issues confronting journalists, particularly at the provincial level.” The planned committee will focus on challenges like wage delays, the implementation of wage board decisions, job security, and journalist safety.
Sheher Bano, [Vice President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ)], presented Khursheedi a research study and a 2024 policy brief outlining systemic issues in the Media sector. Documents highlighted the impact of post-COVID-19 economic conditions, which led to the closure of Media outlets and widespread job losses.
While some journalists transitioned to freelance work, much of it was unsustainable and unpaid. The PFUJ, in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), launched initiatives to do a deep research to find out challenges and gather recommendations from the Media fraternity to address these challenges.
The research was done through a Decent Work Survey which was conducted in Media houses across targeted districts of Sindh and was part of the IFJ-PFUJ Provincial Labor Rights Research and Lobbying Project 2023 Phase-1: Promoting Labor Rights, Gender Equality, and Freedom of Association in Pakistan’s Media.
Recognising the potential for scaling this initiative, the project was expanded to Punjab, and this year the project’s Phase II was initiated the objective of which was to do deep investigation in the working condition of journalist. The policy brief outlined the challenges faced by journalists and the recommendations to resolve these issues. For the first time in Sindh PFUJ also did mapping of freelance journalists in the Province and offered Mobile Journalism (MOJO) training to enhance digital skills and open new income avenues.
Khursheedi praised these efforts, noting that the MQM has consistently supported Media welfare despite facing significant political challenges in recent years, such as state-level pressures and enforced disappearances. He acknowledged that while the party’s intent has always been sincere, past approaches might not have yielded the desired outcomes: “Our resolve remains strong, and we will ensure that journalists’ issues are prioritized in public discourse and government policy,” he assured.
Parliamentary Leader Abdul Waseem also reiterated MQM’s longstanding commitment to Sindh, Karachi, and the journalist community. He highlighted the party’s role in facilitating the allocation of the Karachi Press Club building to Media workers and its advocacy for timely salary payments and the wage award’s implementation. Waseem criticized politicians who prioritise personal gains over public service and affirmed MQM’s focus on delivering meaningful change for journalists and the media sector.
The meetings was also attended by Shariq Jamal, MPA from Malir district of Karachi, and Najam Mirza MPA from Korangi. The latter is a member of the Standing Committee on Industries and Commerce, as well as the Standing Committee on Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control.
The PFUJ’s ongoing efforts include extensive lobbying sessions that bring together stakeholders from labour, information, and legal departments, alongside union representatives and political leaders. These discussions have created a platform for addressing systemic issues, and recommendations from the initiatives call for continued research, expanded digital training, and stronger support mechanisms for media professionals.
Both Khursheedi and Waseem expressed their commitment to collaborating with journalists and stakeholders to tackle the media community’s pressing challenges. “Together, we will create lasting improvements for the media sector,” they assured, reaffirming MQM’s dedication to amplifying the voices of media workers and standing by their side.
Newspakistan.tv
